06.04.2012
Belarusian Railways ready to increase train service to Russia if necessary
MINSK, 6 April (BelTA) – The Belarusian Railways is ready, if necessary, to increase passenger train service to Russia, BelTA learnt from the company.
The Belarusian Railways has the opportunity to introduce additional trains and to connect extra cars in the event of an increase in passenger flow to Russia over the restrictions on flights by Belavia to Russian regions.
“So far there is no such necessity, but if the number of railway passengers increases we are ready to consider introducing additional trains and cars,” the Belarusian Railways said.
The Transport Ministry of Russia has banned the national air carrier Belavia to conduct its flights to all Russian regions except Moscow as from 13 April. Apart from the Russian capital, Belavia operates scheduled flights to St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Sochi, and Kaliningrad. There were plans to open regular flights to Novosibirsk in June. It is expected that the talks on flights between Minsk and Moscow will continue on 9 April.
The dispute between the aviation authorities of the two countries is about the number of daily flights between Minsk and Moscow. The agreement between the Government of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on air service and cooperation in air transport of 12 December 1997 provides for the parity of capacity and frequency of flights between the two capitals. Belavia planned to operate four flights on a daily basis in summer 2012. Russia voiced its intention to handle five flights on a daily basis.
The Belarusian Railways has the opportunity to introduce additional trains and to connect extra cars in the event of an increase in passenger flow to Russia over the restrictions on flights by Belavia to Russian regions.
“So far there is no such necessity, but if the number of railway passengers increases we are ready to consider introducing additional trains and cars,” the Belarusian Railways said.
The Transport Ministry of Russia has banned the national air carrier Belavia to conduct its flights to all Russian regions except Moscow as from 13 April. Apart from the Russian capital, Belavia operates scheduled flights to St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Sochi, and Kaliningrad. There were plans to open regular flights to Novosibirsk in June. It is expected that the talks on flights between Minsk and Moscow will continue on 9 April.
The dispute between the aviation authorities of the two countries is about the number of daily flights between Minsk and Moscow. The agreement between the Government of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on air service and cooperation in air transport of 12 December 1997 provides for the parity of capacity and frequency of flights between the two capitals. Belavia planned to operate four flights on a daily basis in summer 2012. Russia voiced its intention to handle five flights on a daily basis.